Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2020
235. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports available for refugee families from Syria coming into Ireland as part of the resettlement programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43620/20]
View answerThe Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established in 2015 in response to the migration crisis in central and southern Europe. Under this programme, the Government committed to accepting up to 4,000 people into the State, primarily through a combination of the EU Relocation Programme and the UNHCR's Refugee Resettlement Programme.
In total over 3,000 persons with Syrian nationality have, to date, begun new lives in Ireland by way of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP).
The Syrian families arriving to Ireland by way of the IRPP will have already been granted international protection status by the UNHCR. The Minister for Justice grants them ‘programme refugee’ status immediately upon their arrival in Ireland which allows the same benefits and supports as Irish citizens.
These benefits include, but are not restricted to, the supports which are provided by the various strands of the Irish Government, local authorities and wider community. The benefits provided are a comprehensive package designed to provide support and encourage integration into Irish society.
The particular supports that Programme participants receive following their relocation to Ireland include:
- Accommodation and orientation, to include language training, within one of three dedicated Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres in the State, until such time as housing becomes available within the community.
- The subsequent provision of Local Authority housing within the community.
- The assistance of a dedicated Resettlement Worker post-community resettlement.
- Assistance in accessing various State services to include health and education services, language training and establishing both social welfare entitlements and employment opportunities.
- The assistance of a dedicated Inter-cultural worker to assist with integration into the local community.
